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Source: This post on Coral Triangle has been created based on the article “Coral Triangle at risk: new report highlights fossil fuel threats and impacts on biodiversity and communities” published in Down to Earth on 29th October 2024.
Why in news?
A report released on October 26 at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) highlighted the serious dangers that fossil fuel expansion poses to the Coral Triangle which is one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world.
About Coral Triangle
1. Location: It spans six countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
2. Biodiversity: It is often referred to as the “Amazon of the seas.” It holds the highest marine biodiversity in the world including around 76% of all known coral species and over 2,000 species of reef fish.
3. Marine Ecosystems: It encompasses critical ecosystems like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, supporting a vast array of marine life, including turtles, sharks, and various fish species.
4. Ecological Importance: The Coral Triangle is crucial for maintaining global marine biodiversity and resilience, playing a vital role in marine and coastal ecosystems.
5. Human Dependency: Over 120 million people live in the Coral Triangle area, depending on its resources for food, livelihood, and economic activities, particularly through fishing and tourism.
6. Threats: Faces significant threats from overfishing, climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction, particularly coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures.
7. Conservation Efforts: The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) was established to promote conservation, focusing on sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and adaptation to climate change impacts.
8. Global Significance: It has been recognized as a global priority for conservation due to its ecological wealth and the critical role it plays in ocean health and biodiversity.
UPSC Syllabus: Environment
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